How do you become a VA? - Advance Virtual Assistants Ltd

There are so many positives to becoming a Virtual Assistant. From the flexibility it gives you to choose your own days and hours, to the freedom it gives you by having the opportunity to only work with the clients you want, doing the type of jobs you enjoy. Then there’s the saving aspect, being able to save time and money by not having to do lengthy commutes into the city, the list could go on. When you make the decision to start your VA business it can feel very exciting but knowing where to start can often be overwhelming. How do you become a Virtual Assistant? There are so many things to think about and consider but don’t worry, we’re here to help!

In this article, we’ll walk you through 10 key steps that will help set you up for success so you can become a Virtual Assistant.

Research the industry: Before you start your VA business, it’s important to research the industry and learn as much as you can about what it entails. This will help you better understand the market, identify potential opportunities and develop a business plan that’s tailored to your specific goals.
Choose your services: Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to choose what services you’re going to offer. You can choose as many or few as you like but it’s advisable to start with things you already know and are confident with before you tackle new services you’re less familiar with. Think about the skills that you are best at and enjoy most.
Choose your niche: When starting a virtual assistant business, it can be helpful to choose a niche so you can focus your marketing efforts and attract clients who are looking for your specific services. It’s not essential to niche down and many VA’s work for a variety of different industries, especially when word-of-mouth referrals start rolling in but having a niche can be helpful when you’re first starting out.
Set your rates: VA rates can differ greatly depending on experience and skill set. The average VA in the UK currently charges £27 per hour. This may seem like a high amount but you need to take into account all your outgoings and overheads that you incur running your own business. You can read more about setting your rates in our BLOG.
Create branding: A strong branding is essential for any business, but it’s especially important for Virtual Assistant businesses. This is because your brand will help you to stand out, attract and retain clients. It’s not just about colours either, your messaging needs to be strong too to help potential clients know what you stand for. Your branding should be professional, consistent and reflect the type of services you offer. You’ll want to choose a name, brand colours, brand fonts and brand messaging/tone of voice.
Set up your website and social media accounts: In today’s digital world, it’s essential to have a strong online presence if you want to attract clients. This means setting up a professional website and creating social media accounts on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Make sure to populate your accounts with relevant, valuable content that speaks to your ideal client.
Legalities: There are a number of things you’ll need to get in place legally for your business. These include things like insurance, ICO and HMRC registrations, contracts, terms & conditions and data processing agreements. Having all of these in place before you get started is really important.
Invest in training and certifications: While you don’t need a formal education to start a VA business, previous experience is desirable and it can be helpful to invest in some training and certifications. This will not only make you more knowledgeable about the industry but also help you stand out from the competition. Investing in yourself and your continued professional development throughout your VA career will keep your skills high, your business growing and allow you to provide the best services you can to clients. You can find out more about the training and support we offer HERE.
Build a strong portfolio: If you don’t have any previous VA experience you also won’t have any testimonials backing you up so having a portfolio that you can share can be a great tool in attracting clients. This can be done by showcasing the type of work you can do, writing blog posts or creating helpful resources like eBooks and webinars.
Market your business: Once you’ve taken care of the basics, it’s time to start marketing your business. This can be done through a variety of channels, including online advertising, social media, email marketing and content marketing. It’s important to experiment with different marketing techniques and find what works best for your business. One of the best ways to get your first clients is by reaching out to your current network, friends/family/previous employers/anyone who already knows, likes and trusts you.

We hope that this article has helped you answer the question, How do you become a Virtual Assistant?. By following the 10 steps above you can become a Virtual Assistant and launch a successful business. Just remember to focus on providing value, delivering quality services and you’ll be well on your way to building a successful business. If you’re looking for more help on how to become a Virtual Assistant, setting up and to get your biz rocking and rolling faster then check out our FREE Virtual Assistant FB Community, with lots of like minded aspiring and established VA’s HERE or head to the AVA Academy where you can access our VA Training Course or adVAnce Membership: https://advancevirtualassistants.co.uk/ava-academy/